Finally, about one week ago, the top 13 finalists competing for this year’s American Idol contest, Season 8, have been chosen. It is the first time in the history of this popular TV show that 13 people are going for the final. This is going to get more and more interesting, as we advance in the contest. For now, let’s see who the lucky ducks of AI 2009 are:
Kris Allen
Age: 23
Lives in: Conway, AR
Occupation: Kris Allen is a student at the University of Central Arkansas
Singing since: 13 years old.
Megan Joy Corkrey
Age: 23
Lives in: Sandy, UT, with her 2-year-old son, Ryder
Occupation: self-professed “foodie”
Singing since: 3 years of age
Anoop Desai
Age: 22
Lives in: Chapel Hill, NC.
Occupation:working on his Master’s degree in Folklore at the University of North Carolina.
Singing since: in the childhood he was a member of the UNC Clef Hangers, an a cappella group.
Matt Giraud
Age: 23
Lives in: Kalamazoo, MI
Occupation: piano player and singer in local clubs and hotels
Danny Gokey
Age: 28
Living in:Milwaukee, WI
Occupation: president and founder of a non-profit organization
Alexis Grace
Age: 21
Living in Memphis, TN
Occupation: member of the Concert Choir at the University of Memphis
Singing since: 7 years old
Allison Iraheta
Age: 16
Lives in: Downey
Occupation: high school junior
Singing since: 5 years of age
Adam Lambert
Age: 27
Living in: Hollywood
Occupation: musical theater performer
Singing since: 10 years of age
Scott MacIntyre
Age: 23
Originating from: Scottsdale, AZ
Scott graduated from Arizona State University at age 19, and attended graduate school in London, England
Musical skills: plays piano, guitar and drums.
Jasmine Murray
Age: 17
Living in: Starkville, MS
Occupation: student at The Mississippi School of the Arts
Singing since: 3 years of age
Jorge Nunez
Age: 21
Lives in: in Carolina, Puerto Rico
Occupation: student at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras
Lil Rounds
Age: 24
Living in: Memphis, TN; she is married, with three children.
Singing since: 3 years of age
Michael Sarver
Age: 27
Living in Jasper, TX; he is married with two children
Occupation: oil rig worker
Out of the 13 finalists, Anoop Desai was the last one to find a wild card. He knew he didn’t make the top 12, but he got a great surprise to discover that the top 12 is actually Top 13, for the first time in the American Idol.
